Health & Wellness, Confused Yet?

Ashley Puckett​
Senior Capital Markets Analyst
Vellum Mortgage

How do you practice health and wellness in your home?
I make sure everyone gets outside as much as we can, weather permitting. My family loves to go on walks around the neighborhood, nature trails and go to the park/playground. I also love cooking, so I make sure we eat healthy, balanced meals during the week.

Are your kids stubborn about healthy eating habits and, if so, what tips do you have?
My boys have always been great with food. I started them off at 4 months old with homemade purees and at 6 months old with dinner table food they could eat. I think if they see you eating it and not make a big deal of “eat your vegetables, fruit, etc.,” they won’t be stubborn about it. I also think having a variety of foods and cuisines for them to try is crucial. I grew up only really eating the same “southern” food every week and was super picky. Once I was on my own and able to try different cuisines, my palate really picked up, and I began to truly enjoy food.

How do you prioritize self-care for yourself?
I plan and schedule if I am going out to do a form of self-care like a facial, massage, hair/nail salon, etc. I am the type that needs my alone time (decompressing from the day), so once the boys are in bed, I will watch a little bit of TV or read. One of my 2023 goals is to be more intentional with my friendships, so having more ladies nights, which is good for my soul.

Jen Peachman
Manager of Strategic Partnerships
Capacity

How do you practice health and wellness in your home?
Last year I upped my health and wellness game by leveling up from practicing yoga at a local studio and at home to joining Wotworx and practicing hot yoga, barre, Pilates and HIIT, and it’s been a game changer for me personally! My husband and I are avid hikers and hit the trails for sunrise hikes regularly and my kiddos are both active in sports with practices and games 3-5 times per week. Our house is busy, to ensure we’re healthy and active.

Do you have a daily routine of wellness practices for them/you?
As a busy working mom, I’ve committed myself to spending an hour a day, five times per week focusing on my personal health and wellness. I schedule time for my hikes and workouts early in the mornings or in the evenings to accommodate my work schedule. and change my workout classes regularly to keep a variety in my exercise routine.

How do you prioritize self-care for yourself?
When my daughter was very sick a few years ago, I saw a quote that I still have hanging by my desk. It was super impactful and made me realize that in order to be the best mom to her and her sister, especially during some of our darkest days, I had to take care of myself first. “Your kids don’t need a perfect mom. They need a happy one.” More moms need to hear this, it’s in theirs and their kids’ best interest.

Victoria DeLuce
SVP, Business Development
Delmar Mortgage

How do you practice health and wellness in your home?
We are just a normal family that tries to be a better version of ourselves today than we were yesterday. I think many people automatically go to eating healthy and exercise, but mental health is where it starts for me and my children. If you are taking care of your mind and what you allow into it, it’s easier to execute on the rest.

Are your kids stubborn about healthy eating habits, and, if so, what tips do you have?
My kids still love some chicken nuggets and French fries, but the biggest thing we focus on is listening to our bodies. It starts with not eating when we’re not hungry. When I was growing up there were specific mealtimes, food was slapped on a plate, and you had to eat it all. Very much so ‘the waste not, want not’ mentality. I was also told that it was rude to the cook if you didn’t eat everything on your plate. With American portion size, this isn’t conducive to healthy eating habits or body weight. The second thing we do is ask how our bodies feel after we eat. They know they feel good after a homemade smoothie and not so great after a bag of Doritos, and I remind them of those feelings when making future food choices.

How do you prioritize self-care for yourself?
This is something I struggle with to this day. As many of you can identify, society has told us we must be selfless, putting our families before our own needs, including self-care. One thing I will not compromise on is sleep and weekly “me” time.

Casey Hughes Wade
Strategic Partnerships Director
Clever Real Estate

How do you practice health and wellness in your home?
I think the key word here is PRACTICE, because that is exactly what it is. We practice taking deep breaths, getting fresh air, laughing together over silly things, taking walks as a family and finding time to be present.

Are your kids stubborn about healthy eating habits and, if so, what tips do you have?
My children are very stubborn with eating. We have started cooking healthy meals as a family, and it’s helping them expand their eating habits.

How do you prioritize self-care for yourself?
Yoga checks all the boxes for me! Blocking time off on our busy calendar for my personal yoga practice helps me prioritize my personal self-care time.

So grateful for all the Mortgage Moms who contributed. It takes a village as they say, and we can always use tips and tricks.

I will end with this quote.

“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit — the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.” 

– Greg Anderson